Hi - I recently went on vacation and placed my two dogs in a local kennel. In an attempt to find a good kennel, I asked the neighbors, and the local dog trainers in the area and the kennel I chose was based in large part on their recommendation. One of my dogs in an 8-month old puppy that I bought for the specific purposes of breeding, personal protection and competition work. Upon returning from my 10 day vacation, I picked up my dogs from the kennel. While checking out, I put them both in a down stay so I could pay the bill and take them home. After getting home I took my dogs outside in the back yard for a bathroom break and noticed my puppy limping. I immediately called the kennel and they said that they noticed occurring intermittently over the past 2-3 days (I called every day of vacation to ask how they were doing and the only feedback I got was great!). Of course I was very distraught and asked why they did not call me or report it when I called them daily. Their response was they would look into it. Needless to say, I went straight to the vet's office only to find out that my puppy has a completely severed ACL or I guess CCL in a dog. So I am very concerned about his future as a protection dog and a competitive dog. Any comments you all have would be most welcomed. Thanks for listening.

-Al

:shocked: :shocked:

Oh man, I am so angry for you. What was your pup doing to have this happen in a boarding situation? Did you give your written OK for play-time? Has the facility manager said anything to you, offered any explanation?

There are several options for ACL repair...not sure what's best for a young pup. I'd definitely contact the best ortho surgeon you can find to get all the options.

Wow, I am so sorry...

we did the TPLO surgery and were still able to compete and enjoy life completely.

The surgery is expensive and the after care is a total pain but very worthwhile. My dog was two years old. I defeniately would do the surgery on a dog that young.

Rehab is LONG but complete recovery is possible. My dog has no restrictions.

Do they have surveillance cams so you can go back and see what happened?

I would contact a lawyer to find out how to make the kennel pay for the surgery as well as any after care required due to their negligence. They should pay for the vet visit you just had, too.

grrr

Boy Al, I'm really sorry. I just went through a CCL scare with my dog (for the second time in his life) and it's kind of a big deal - how awful that this happened while the pup was out of your care...

May I ask, how did your vet diagnose the CCL tear? Drawer & tibial thrust test? Were x-rays done? Is there joint effusion (swelling/fluid in the joint)? Did they check BOTH knees?

When my dog was 11 months old he was diagnosed by a local vet with a possible CCL tear, after she said he had some laxity in his affected knee. After seeing a specialist who deals almost exclusively in knee injuries, it turned out NOT to be a tear - a certain amount of laxity is actually common in immature dogs who's bone structure is still firming up, and upon feeling both of Oscar's knees, the ortho said they were symmetrical, as in BOTH a *little* looser than a normal adult knee. Rested him up and he was fine!

Not to give too much false hope - CCL tears are VERY common injuries, and as was stated, TPLO and TTA surgeries can return a dog to near perfect condition with the right surgeon and recovery - but in an 8 month old dog, I'd want to see a specialist (board certified) for SURE to determine the extent of the damage - your general vet is a good start, but a proper orthopedic surgeon will be able to tell you more...

Don't know what to say about the boarding facility... accidents happen, but they should have absolutely been up front about the lameness they saw WHEN it happened. Did you sign paperwork absolving them of liability in the event of such a thing?

So sorry, but best of luck!

~Natalya

I'm currently with a dog with both knees injured. First diagnosis operation necessary on both knees to repare the damaged ligaments (cost per knee 2000 US $).
Second opinion suggested complete rest inflamatory injections for 3 weeks and then 6 weeks complete rest all in his bench only walks on leash allowed without any jumping. afterwards 8 weeks revalidation with prescripted excercise programe to create mussle strenght (and a fit handler; one excercise is trotting alongside a bycicle up to about 20 miles a day EEEEEEK me no like it!!!!!! )

I'm 3 weeks into the second treatment and his knees are stable again
So don't give up hope look into it and get a good vet to check him out. Ask questions about alternatives and based on thsi info deside

There is a lady on my agility poodle list who had her standard injected with stem cells in both knees, when they had a partial rupture. Apparently the cost to inject both knees was equal to the cost of 1 TPLO. This is experimental though. The dog is an 8 year old bitch. It seems it has worked for now as the dog is back in training/conditioning and working on her MACH3.